Ethiopia hosting camp training fighters for Sudan’s RSF, Reuters reports

Ethiopia is hosting a covert military training camp preparing thousands of fighters for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to a Reuters investigation, in what could mark the country’s first confirmed direct involvement in Sudan’s civil war.

Reuters cited multiple Ethiopian, diplomatic and security sources who said the camp is located in Ethiopia’s western Benishangul-Gumuz region, close to the Sudanese border, and has been training recruits expected to reinforce the RSF as fighting expands in southern Sudan.

Eight sources, including a senior Ethiopian government official, told Reuters that the United Arab Emirates “financed the camp’s construction” and “provided trainers and logistical assistance.” Reuters said it could not independently verify the UAE’s role. The UAE foreign ministry denied involvement, saying it was not a party to the conflict.

According to Reuters, the news agency reviewed satellite imagery, an internal Ethiopian security note and a diplomatic cable describing the camp, which had not been previously reported. The documents said the facility could train up to 10,000 fighters and that thousands were already undergoing instruction as of early January. Sources told Reuters the recruits are primarily Ethiopians, with others from Sudan and South Sudan also present. Several officials said some fighters had already crossed into Sudan’s Blue Nile state to support RSF operations.

Reuters reported that satellite images show the camp was carved out of forested land near the town of Menge, with activity accelerating from October. Images reviewed by Reuters showed hundreds of tents, heavy vehicles and ongoing construction, including shipping containers and newly cleared land.

The investigation also found new development at Asosa airport, roughly 53 km from the camp. Reuters said satellite imagery showed new hangars, paved runway areas and what experts identified as drone-related infrastructure. Ethiopian officials told Reuters the airport was being upgraded as part of broader military planning along the western border.

Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, Ethiopia has developed strong economic and military ties with the UAE. This relationship was highlighted early on by the UAE’s $3 billion financial support package, which helped Ethiopia stabilize its economy during a period of financial strain. Beyond economic cooperation, the partnership has increasingly taken on a strategic and security dimension, reflecting the UAE’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa.

The UAE played a significant role during Ethiopia’s Tigray war, particularly at a critical moment in the conflict. As Tigrayan forces advanced toward Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian government reportedly received last-minute armed drones from the UAE. These drones proved decisive, shifting the balance of power on the battlefield and enabling government forces to halt and later reverse the advance of Tigrayan troops. Since then, Ethiopia and the UAE have maintained close ties.

At the same time, the UAE has been accused of supporting RSF through military and logistical assistance. Several credible international media outlets and investigative reports have documented alleged Emirati involvement, including claims that the UAE used neighboring countries such as Chad as transit routes to supply the RSF. Other reports have pointed to Somalia’s port city of Bosaso as a logistical hub for weapons transfers. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that it does not provide military support to the RSF.

However, the latest investigation highlight the expanding role of regional actors in a conflict that has now become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Although the Sudanese army has made some progress on the ground, the fighting has intensified and evolved in character. The conflict has increasingly featured advanced weaponry, including the widespread use of drones and missile systems, reflecting both the escalating nature of the war and the growing external involvement shaping its trajectory.